SPRINGFIELD – During her first legislative session in the Illinois Senate, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) championed landmark legislation to help families in every corner of Illinois.
“One of the greatest joys of my time as a legislator has been meeting with my various advisory committees to listen to community members and gather input to inform meaningful legislation,” Villa said. “From issues affecting students to mental health initiatives, I’m grateful for everyone who helped push for these important laws.”
Villa passed House Bill 155, which will allow Illinoisans receiving aid through federal and state food assistance programs to use their benefits to purchase menstrual hygiene products or diapers. The measure ensures benefits programs cover necessary menstrual hygiene products, which Villa said are as essential to a woman’s well-being as food and water.
Villa went on to continue her fight to end period poverty on Illinois college campuses with the passage of House Bill 641. Public universities and community college districts are now required to make menstrual hygiene products available to students at no cost in campus bathrooms under the legislation.
In an effort to reduce drug waste and help families struggling to afford prescription drugs, Villa championed House Bill 119, which will create the Illinois Prescription Drug Repository Program – or I-DROP – to redistribute unused prescription drugs to Illinoisans who need them. Under Villa’s I-DROP program, unused prescription drugs that may have otherwise been thrown out could be redistributed to families who are struggling to afford critical prescription medications.
Undocumented college students can find tailored support on campus under Villa’s House Bill 3438. The legislation requires public universities and community colleges in Illinois to designate an employee as an Undocumented Student Resource Liaison, as well as encourages schools to establish an Undocumented Student Resource Center on campus to assist undocumented students.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work I accomplished with the General Assembly this spring to pass laws to help students, women and working families across our great state,” Villa said. “As we approach the next legislative session, I look forward to continuing to prioritize health care, education and workplace safety.”
A full list of legislation sponsored by Villa can be found on the Illinois General Assembly’s website.
WEST CHICAGO – As children return to school, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) is making sure parents know they may be able to claim their students’ school expenses on their 2021 Illinois individual tax returns.
“Back-to-school expenses can be a burden, but parents now have the opportunity to receive tax benefits if they take the right steps,” Villa said. “Families should remember to claim these expenses on their tax returns to help prepare their children for a bright academic future.”
Qualified educational expenses include tuition and book and lab fees more than $250 paid to the school where the student is enrolled on a full-time basis. For home schooled students — book rental and lab fees greater than $250 are eligible when attending a qualified home school program.
The Illinois Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of full-time K-12 students younger than 21 to take a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250. The total credit may not exceed $750, regardless of the number of qualifying students. Parents must attach a receipt they receive from the school and potentially fill out a schedule when they file their taxes.
"Parents invest a great deal in education so I encourage them to take advantage of this valuable savings,” Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris said. “It is just important for them to remember to keep the receipts for any qualifying expenses, so they are accessible when it comes time to file their taxes.”
More information about the Illinois Education Expensive Credit can be found on IDOR’s website.
SPRINGFIELD – In response to the Senate’s passage of comprehensive clean energy legislation, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) released the following statement:
“After months of meeting with my environment advisory committee and key stakeholders, I am proud to vote for the Energy Transition Act, a first-of-its-kind energy policy overhaul that paves the way for Illinois’ clean energy future for generations to come.
Read more: Villa backs new legislation paving the way for Illinois’ clean energy future
SPRINGFIELD – Tailored support services and resource centers for undocumented students will be available on college campuses under a new law sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago).
“Undocumented college students deserve to have equitable and inclusive access to resources to help them successfully graduate and become contributing members of society,” Villa said. “These liaisons and resource centers will have a profound impact on retention and matriculation rates for marginalized communities on campus.”
Read more: Governor signs Villa law providing services to undocumented college students
SPRINGFIELD – Tailored support services and resource centers for undocumented students will be available on college campuses under a new law sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago).
“Undocumented college students deserve to have equitable and inclusive access to resources to help them successfully graduate and become contributing members of society,” Villa said. “These liaisons and resource centers will have a profound impact on retention and matriculation rates for marginalized communities on campus.”
The law will require public universities and community colleges in Illinois to designate an employee as an Undocumented Student Resource Liaison, as well as encourage schools to establish an Undocumented Student Resource Center on campus to assist undocumented students.
Read more: Governor signs Villa law providing services to undocumented college students
ST. CHARLES – The City of St. Charles will receive over $8,000 in grant funding for historic preservation projects through the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) announced Wednesday.
“Families in the 25th District have long been able to enjoy the rich history throughout the district, especially in St. Charles,” Villa said. “I’m eager to see the results of the architectural survey, and I hope we can add another historic district to our community.”
More than $131,400 in Certified Local Government grants will be distributed throughout Illinois for nine historic preservation projects that focus on surveys, public education, planning and nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.
St. Charles was awarded $8,262 in Federal Historic Preservation Funds, and the City of St. Charles will match $3,057 of that funding to conduct an intensive architectural survey in the Pottawatomie Neighborhood. The survey will identify and document the history and character of structures in the neighborhood for the potential establishment of a fourth historic district in the community.
Information on how to apply for the next round of Certified Local Government grants can be found here.
SPRINGFIELD – Schools will have to follow specific trauma-informed guidelines for school shooting lockdown drills under State Senator Karina Villa’s (D-West Chicago) new law.
“We should be doing everything in our power to stop school shootings and avoid the trauma that comes from shooting events — including that caused by involvement in graphic simulations during lockdown drills,” Villa said. “Our students should feel safe at school, and these trauma-informed guidelines will help them prepare for the worst without carrying the weight of a simulated tragedy.”
Read more: Villa law mandates trauma-informed school shooting lockdown drills
SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will soon be able to donate unused prescription drugs for redistribution through State Senator Karina Villa’s (D-West Chicago) Prescription Drug Repository Program.
“As we fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs, it’s imperative that we work to provide alternatives to buying medication at the costly market value,” Villa said. “I-DROP will help ensure families are not forced to make the tough decision between paying bills or buying food and purchasing necessary prescription medication.”
Read more: Villa law creates Illinois’ first prescription drug repository program
Page 10 of 14